'EastEnders' actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha opens up on racist attack

Punjab-origin British actress Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, widely known for her role of Ash Panesar in the popular series "EastEnders", has opened up on feeling "angry, sad and embarrassed" on being the target of racism.

The 27-year-old actress, born in Luton, England, said the incident "came from nowhere" and left her in tears and feeling "ashamed" because she was unable to "brush off" the unnamed woman's tirade, reports dailymail.co.uk on Tuesday.

Garcha made the revelation in a long post she shared on Instagram the day before. In the post, she categorically talks of being a "victim to verbal racial abuse" that she described as "a completely unprovoked attack". Adding that she was proud of her British, Punjabi, Kenyan and Sikh roots, Garcha questioned in her post: "When will racism end?"

She shared her post with a picture of a pink and a brown hand clasping each other. "Say no to racism", goes the slogan beneath the visual in the image.

Garcha wrote on Instagram: "Yesterday I was a victim to verbal racial abuse. It came from nowhere, I wasn't expecting it, and even though I know racism exists and I could always be victim to it, it was still deeply deeply shocking. In a completely unprovoked attack, I was told by a woman to go back home, to return to wherever I've come from, and to stay there. The initial shock was that someone was so comfortable to say this to me in public, not once but several times. It made me feel angry, sad, and embarrassed. It upset me, and as a result of being upset I felt weak. I was ashamed that I wasn't able to just brush it off and continue with my day as normal. Instead, what followed were tears of sadness and frustration. how can someone be allowed to say something so racially driven and then walk away? Why do I then have to deal with all the feelings that come with it? Why do I have to tell myself to stay calm and not to retaliate? And why do I have to be the one left crying? It seems so unfair that I am judged by the colour of skin. My thoughts and feelings of fear weren't just about that moment, but about a future where my children, nieces and nephews will have to face the same discrimination and hate. My heart sinks that deep down I know this won't be the last time I experience something like this.

"Initially I wasn't going to say anything, but waking up this morning and feeling burdened with the same sadness from the day before, I realised that by speaking out it may help someone who has experienced the same, and make them realise they're not alone.

"When will racism end?

"I am proud to be British. I am proud that my grandparents were born in Punjab. I am proud that my parents were born in Kenya. And I am proud to be Sikh. I celebrate all these things. I wish others did too," she concluded.

EastEnders

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